Ib. Dawid et al., LIM DOMAINS - MULTIPLE ROLES AS ADAPTERS AND FUNCTIONAL MODIFIERS IN PROTEIN INTERACTIONS, Trends in genetics, 14(4), 1998, pp. 156-162
The LIM domain is a specialized double-zinc finger motif found in a va
riety of proteins, in association with domains of divergent functions
or forming proteins composed primarily of LIM domains. LIM domains int
eract specifically with other LIM domains and with many different prot
ein domains. LIM domains are thought to function as protein interactio
n modules, mediating specific contacts between members of functional c
omplexes and modulating the activity of some of the constituent protei
ns. Nucleic acid binding by LIM domains, while suggested by structural
considerations, remains an unproven possibility. LIM-domain proteins
can be nuclear, cytoplasmic, or can shuttle between compartments. Seve
ral important LIM proteins are associated with the cytoskeleton, havin
g a role in adhesion-plaque and actin-microfilament organization. Amon
g nuclear LIM proteins, the LIM homeodomain proteins form a major subf
amily with important functions in cell lineage determination and patte
rn formation during animal development.